North Star Rail Intermodal LLC

The Agricultural Export Dilemma

The U.S. bulk grain export system works efficiently for commoditized products, but does not service international customers who demand shipments of quality controlled market-specific food or feed grain products or unitized shipments of smaller quantities meeting just-in-time inventory requirements. Minnesota farmers’ ability to realize the higher margins these markets provide are defeated by high-cost, inefficient or unavailable transportation. Rising fuel costs, driver shortages and inadequate container supply exclude highway container transportation as an effective transportation mode.

soybean crop The North Star Intermodal Solution

North Star Rail Intermodal offers regularly-scheduled, reliable intermodal service to Upper Great Plains farmers, growers and processors at per-ton prices competitive with bulk grain shipping.

Ethanol Producers: Ethanol co-product DDGS are produced at the rate of 1.8 lbs of mash for every gallon of ethanol produced. North Star obviates the DDGS hopper car extraction problem, overcomes a railcar shortage and provides unitized shipping demanded by new markets.

Food Grade Soybean Growers: Strict nutrient classification requirements, high non-GMO purity standards and discerning, decentralized customers worldwide demand containerization. North Star’s planned schedule container service will allow farmers to commit specific acreage to overseas customers to secure customers at higher prices.

Identity Preserved Wheat Suppliers: Whether it is for pasta or bread, noodles or cookies, demanding customers in China, India and Japan segment their wheat requirements according to process, nutrients, flavor and shelf-life. North Star intermodal transportation solution provides identity preservation and just-in-time product management.

Performance Feed Processors: The Norsoy™ process was developed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to classify feed-grade soybeans according to amino acid content, allowing Minnesota farmers to capture higher product prices. North Star containers will preserve those margins through the transportation process.

The demand for transportation is being driven by international demand for high-value specialty agricultural products. Food processors want corn, wheat or soybeans that meet exacting specifications. ~ Read More

The world is moving toward container shipping. As the pace of global trade and the need for more specialized products continue to accelerate, it is the container that provides the logistic foundation. ~ Read More

steamship

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